" /> I can't believe I used the term "personality" in the same sentence as Ted Allen...Mr. No Personality.

Am I the only one who can't stand to hear this man talk? He sounds like a pre-programed computer. Every sentence has a hard ending like he's really trying to drive home a point.

His "Food Detective" show isn't a great concept and he sure doesn't add any sort of appeal. The show "Chopped" isn't a bad concept and I don't mind watching it for what it is...but Allen mucks it up every time he opens his mouth. He really is hard to listen to.

What is Food Network thinking? I've seen a noticeable trend toward diversity in the past year or so. I wonder if Ted is part of that. Whatever the reason, he certainly isn't an asset...he ranks just below that annoying Nealy couple.

I find "Food Detective" interesting, but I think you probably picked the right word when you said the Food Network was heading toward "diversity". Remember Ted Allen was the "food and wine connoisseur" of the five experts on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy", so actually he had about five years of TV exposure before coming to the Food Network.

I put Him in the same category as Inez the Barefoot Contessa.I can't stand them!The fastest I ever move is trying to change the channel whenever I hear their voice.It really doesn't help with His Orientation either.

Wow, we sure as heck don't want too much diversity on the Food Network. What can they be thinking, putting an openly gay guy on there? And a couple of color! Yikes! One can never have too many white, straight people on the media. Forget about the Nealys and Ted Allen. What we need is more Bobby Flay clones.

Zataar, I didn't say anything that even resembled your post. A bit paranoid are you?

Anyway...yes...there has been a move toward diversifying FN. They have made some bad choices.

I don't dislike Ted Allen because he is GAY and I don't dislike the Nealys because they are BLACK. I dislike them because they are not good FN personalities.

You see, this is why people have to be so very careful when being critical. Had I criticized Emeril I bet most would simply have jumped right on the bandwagon without giving any thought to his skin color or sexual orientation. Yes I made a comment about diversity...but I never said that wasn't a good thing and my post certainly wasn't about that.

So anyway...Ted Allen is boring as all get out. He certainly doesn't do a single thing for FN ratings in my book.

Jay you have missed the voluminous amounts of forum real estate devoted to figuring out what's wrong with the programming on the Food Network. Most of it comes down to this idea: they keep trying to reproduce their successes (the eighteen clones of Bobby Flay) instead of getting original and new voices and assuming the viewers aren't 12. Which most of the folks agreeing with you in this thread seem to be.

Why would his sexual orientation negatively impact your opinion of the show? He's not swishy and over-the-top "look at me, I'm gay" like his former fellow cast member Carson Kressley. He's just Ted Allen, kind of boring, but nothing special.

So what bugs you? Please share, as I'm always fascinated by the inner workings of homophobics.

Well, only one person actually has agreed with me and I have no control over whether or not that person likes Allen's orientation. I certainly don't use that as my excuse for my dislike and I hope that I've made that clear. My dislike stems from my genuine opinion that he's boring and way to stiff on camera. He'd certainly be kicked off "The Next Food Network Star" no later than halfway through the season.

I should not have ever typed anything about FN's diversity project. I guess that put "white guy racist/homophobe/elitist" in everyone's mind. Had I left out that one sentence it probably would have changed the entire tone of this thread. Most of the "new" talent on FN isn't doing the network justice...it doesn't matter thier skin color.

Maybe they need to double up on "The Next Food Network Star" shows. If they did twice the amount of "seasons" per year, then they'd find twice as many Guy Fieri's. Love him or hate him, that guy is a great personality and an asset to FN...plus DD&D is a great concept that he does well with.

And WHAT has happened to Batali?!? He doesn't have anything on the network anymore. I've seen him on PBS but not FN. What gives? Mario Batali is one of (of not THE) best "real" cook on FN. He's down to earth, straightforward, and gives us AUTHENTIC Italian.

He's one of the few on FN (and again, if not THE only) that Tonly Bourdain approves of...which says alot to me.

If FN is looking to continue on their success, they need to bring us more of what made them a success. Batali is a large part of that. He is an icon of FN...the epitome of what they should be looking for.

I'll say this more and then I'm done. I think taking him out of the lineup on 'Top Chef' and putting in Gail Simmons was a mistake--at least use 'em half and half. And I don't know who does the casting for 'Next Food Network Star' but when 'Top Chef' has people who should clearly be on, if not winners, of that show (I'm thinking of Carla and the Italian dude, if not Jamie), then somebody is not doing their job.

This is not the first time this person's views have come into play in my mind. See this thread and look about halfway down. I responded that I thought it was uncalled for and even referenced an earlier post that I thought was inappropriate that has since been removed. The response to that just reinforced my opinioon of this poster.

Oh god, I thought you guys were talking about the HUNGRY detective show. I had no idea there was another FoodTV show with the word "detective" in it. That seems wrong somehow, as the Hungry Detective show was just SO BAD. It was like, let's give the only fat guy in LA a show. He must know about food, he's fat.

Anyway, FoodTV is bad for you. It rots your brain. I watch the travel shows to fall asleep, that's about it.

I think Ted would be a better fit on the 'Myth Busters' show and the Nealeys should film their show from a motel room. Not trying to PO anybody but I would rather watch Alton Brown or Guy anyday. JMHO.

I like Ted. He is one of the few television personalities that come off as being genuine. My gut says that his off-camera persona is probably very similar to his on-camera persona - kind of low key. Many of the other television/reality show/food network/travel channel people all seem like they are performing schtick.

I guess that is the ultimate irony. "Reality" television that is just too real!

I don't much care for the show "Food Detective," but I thought he was good as a judge on "Iron Chef" -- he really knows his food. Part of the problem with his current show is that Alton Brown's "Good Eats" does a lot of the same sort of stuff, and does it much better.

Someone who is bothered by another person's sexuality--especially if the two people are not in each other's proximity--is clearly someone who is very insecure about his/her own sexuality.

If a person is secure with his/her sexual identity, whatever someone else does behind closed doors with other adults will not matter to him/her. It is interesting to observe how a person's biases can reveal much about their underlying psyche and, in some cases, their sexual identity.

"His orientation does not help" is the issue, not whether or not you like him. I like the Neeleys but I understand if people don't. So many food and travel shows depend on the personality of the host. I don't like the Travel channel show with the Playboy model host because I find her insipid but have found Dhani Jones show fascinating because I find what they film interesting and the conceit fascinating.

He looks, acts and sounds like a country bumpkin announcer on a small TV station in Booneysville KY or AL or WV, or OK who does the sports, weather, news, morning show and sweeps the floor. ( no offense KY, AL, WV & OK)

Ted Allen looks like some guy who was walking down the street, the producers of Chopped, realized they didn't have a MC, they just grabbed him, told him what to say, and don't smile. He still can't figure out what happened, and what he's doing there!

Ted Allen looks like some guy who was walking down the street, the producers of Chopped, realized they didn't have a MC, they just grabbed him, told him what to say, and don't smile. He still can't figure out what happened, and what he's doing there!

You crack me up! To me, the most annoying one is Sandra Lee with her matching curtains, matching clothes, matching tablecloth, matching flowers, matching everything. Bleech.

chewingthefatTed Allen looks like some guy who was walking down the street, the producers of Chopped, realized they didn't have a MC, they just grabbed him, told him what to say, and don't smile. He still can't figure out what happened, and what he's doing there!

You crack me up! To me, the most annoying one is Sandra Lee with her matching curtains, matching clothes, matching tablecloth, matching flowers, matching everything. Bleech.

He's a hell of a lot better than Mo Rocca! I dunno, I just miss Emeril Live. It was fun to watch even if you weren't interested in what the theme was for that day. Wish they'd air them again. I'm watching more cooking shows on YouTube anymore.

He's a hell of a lot better than Mo Rocca! I dunno, I just miss Emeril Live. It was fun to watch even if you weren't interested in what the theme was for that day. Wish they'd air them again. I'm watching more cooking shows on YouTube anymore.

Emeril was a great Showman, no doubt a great Chef, problem I had with him is he never cooked a damn thing I had any interest in...Hot potted Cottage Cheese with braised Rabbit Ears, ah pass again Emeril!

chewingthefatTed Allen looks like some guy who was walking down the street, the producers of Chopped, realized they didn't have a MC, they just grabbed him, told him what to say, and don't smile. He still can't figure out what happened, and what he's doing there!

You crack me up! To me, the most annoying one is Sandra Lee with her matching curtains, matching clothes, matching tablecloth, matching flowers, matching everything. Bleech.

I somewhat agree. I like DDD and Robert Irvine and that's all I can think of. I do miss Emeril and I think John Besh would be great on TFN. They both started at my favorite New Orleans restaurant Commanders Palace so they both know how to do an excellent turtle soup so I like 'em.

DDD is such a great show concept. A lot of people don't like Guy, but there is no one that could do that show as well. His personality is perfect for it.

I just wish to God he'd change his hair. And Anne Burrell needs a hair makeover, as well. This is 2014, and younger (that's right) viewers just don't take him or her seriously with their 90s hair. I used to watch "Chopped", but stopped out of boredom.

Now don't get me started on the Fox channel food shows, because I am privy to some "stuff" that people would either not believe I know the facts about, or they'd totally agree with me. And I won't name names or episodes. But don't get me started.

DDD is such a great show concept. A lot of people don't like Guy, but there is no one that could do that show as well. His personality is perfect for it.

I just wish to God he'd change his hair. And Anne Burrell needs a hair makeover, as well. This is 2014, and younger (that's right) viewers just don't take him or her seriously with their 90s hair. I used to watch "Chopped", but stopped out of boredom.

Now don't get me started on the Fox channel food shows, because I am privy to some "stuff" that people would either not believe I know the facts about, or they'd totally agree with me. And I won't name names or episodes. But don't get me started.

Yeah, come on Harriet! You ALREADY got started and there's no retreat for you now. Are his initials G.R.?

Honestly, he's not. Only gets paid for acting like it, though he does get pissed off in front of the camera. He's not the problem. Fox and their disgusting editors and producers are! If anybody's on Facebook, please give me a shout - I'm friends on there with a lot of people from here. I just don't wanna go into detail on here. I want to protect family and extended family, and if I open up a mouth, I won't stop and I'll end up getting sued (yep!) I wasn't "there", but somebody I gave birth to was!

I like Ted & Ina they are laid back and genuine not to mention intelligent and informative. The one person that drives me crazy is Carla Hall (was on Top Chef, now a regular on The Chew), she is hyper, loud and obnoxious and tries to upstage the other co-hosts. She even interrupts the guest celebrities on the show.

I like Ted & Ina they are laid back and genuine not to mention intelligent and informative. The one person that drives me crazy is Carla Hall (was on Top Chef, now a regular on The Chew), she is hyper, loud and obnoxious and tries to upstage the other co-hosts. She even interrupts the guest celebrities on the show.

and to think she used to be a "super model". If I owned a farm I'd leave her in the back forty to scare away the crows.

Carla Hall used to be a "super model"?? Aside from the fact that she's obnoxious, she's butt-ugly! Gisele Bündchen she ain't!!!

Hard to believe...this from Wikipedia...did you ever see her around town?

Modeling career

In 1988, Hall shifted focus and spent several years working as a model on the runways of Paris, Milan and London. It was in the first of these three cities that she quickly fell in love with the art of food.

Carla Hall used to be a "super model"?? Aside from the fact that she's obnoxious, she's butt-ugly! Gisele Bündchen she ain't!!!

Hard to believe...this from Wikipedia...did you ever see her around town?

Modeling career

In 1988, Hall shifted focus and spent several years working as a model on the runways of Paris, Milan and London. It was in the first of these three cities that she quickly fell in love with the art of food.

If she was working on a runway in Paris, it must have been at Charles de Gaulle Airport!!!! No, maybe it was at Roissy Airport, fewer people.

Carla Hall used to be a "super model"?? Aside from the fact that she's obnoxious, she's butt-ugly! Gisele Bündchen she ain't!!!

Hard to believe...this from Wikipedia...did you ever see her around town?

Modeling career

In 1988, Hall shifted focus and spent several years working as a model on the runways of Paris, Milan and London. It was in the first of these three cities that she quickly fell in love with the art of food.

If she was working on a runway in Paris, it must have been at Charles de Gaulle Airport!!!! No, maybe it was at Roissy Airport, fewer people.